📌REMINDER
🗓️TONIGHT - March 18, 2026
⏰5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
📍DCTC
🏫Elementary School Modernization Prioritization Study
Learn about the future modernization process for the following elementary schools in Dorchester County:
Hurlock
Maple
Sandy Hill
Vienna
Warwick
Topics to Cover:
Recently approved educational specification and feasibility study
Methodology for prioritizing schools
Community engagement process and next steps
All meetings will be livestreamed and recorded. Use https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe to access the live stream and recordings.
2 months ago, DCPS
📚 Last week, Vienna Elementary School was honored to receive a generous book donation from The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) in memory of beloved 4th grade teacher Ms. Katie Cole. Ms. Cole’s family—her mom and brother—joined us to celebrate this special tribute. Ms. Cole’s students were among those who heard a story read by Ms. Melissa Ray, President of Dorchester Educators.
This donation supports the Read Across America mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading, with a focus on books that celebrate and reflect the rich diversity of our world. Reading is a cornerstone of future success in any field, and we are proud to continue fostering a culture where every student can see themselves in the stories they read.
Thank you to MSEA and the Cole family for helping us keep Ms. Cole’s passion for education and diversity alive in our classrooms.
#withJOY
#BelieveInUs
2 months ago, DCPS
Due to the forecasted weather conditions for this afternoon, DCPS students will be dismissed on a half-day schedule today, March 16, 2026. Staff may leave 2 hours early. Thank you and be safe!
2 months ago, DCPS
On Friday, February 27th, the William Julius Wilson Institute at Harlem Children’s Zone hosted an impactful Education Learning Tour, the first step aligning our current resources and partners to areas of need in our district.
The day began with a partner panel where our current local partners came together to kick-start the tour with deep, meaningful discussions about critical areas of need and opportunities for impact within the community.
Throughout the tour, participants explored schools and connected with organizations that directly influence student outcomes across the feeder pattern—from early childhood through postsecondary success. Representing the lower half of the district, we heard from student and staff panels at CSD, Mace’s Lane, and Choptank. These panels fostered honest conversations and showcased incredible authenticity through student voice, providing invaluable insights into the lived experiences of our learners.
The tour brought together representatives from all schools within the feeder pattern, early learning providers, college and career partners, after-school and tutoring programs, wraparound service providers, and community organizations. This collaborative experience allowed stakeholders to see the full ecosystem of support available to young people and identify opportunities to strengthen alignment, coordination, and impact across the district.
Not only did DCPS host this tour, but some of our own just recently returned from an immersive experience in Harlem, and we can't wait to learn about the newfound vision they have returned with!
#withJOY
#BelieveInUs
2 months ago, DCPS
Due to the potential of wintry mix in the late afternoon and early evening hours, all after school activities are canceled today, Thursday, March 12th.
Thank you for your understanding, and stay safe!
2 months ago, DCPS
🎉 A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors for supporting our upcoming Best of DCPS Awards Gala on April 9th! Your generosity helps us elevate the experience for our deserving DCPS educators.
We are grateful to:
Data Networks
Choptank Electric Cooperative
Mid Shore Graphics
Hyatt Regency
City of Cambridge
Composite Yacht
Lois & Frank Narr
Dorchester Education Foundation
MidShore Meals til Monday
Haddaway’s Service Center
Megan Holotik – State Farm Insurance
Amick Farms, LLC
McDonald’s Restaurant
Cambridge Marketplace/Fairchild
Foundation Fitness
ESFCU – Educational Systems
Thomas's Fine Jewelry
Thomas Funeral Home
Bay Country Bakery
PepUp
Interested in joining this amazing group of supporters? There’s still time to become a sponsor and help us make this event unforgettable for our educators! Reach out to Ms. Lynne Redmer at redmerl@dcpsmd.org to learn how you can contribute.
Together, we can celebrate and honor those who inspire our community every day, #withJOY! ✨
#BelieveInUs
2 months ago, DCPS
We were honored to welcome Professor Jessica Shiller from the Maryland Center for Community Schools, Derek Anderson from MSDE, and their team of researchers and practitioners to Maple and Hurlock Elementary Schools yesterday. During their visit, they had the opportunity to observe several ELA and Math classrooms across multiple grade levels, and see firsthand the impactful work happening at Dorchester County Public Schools!
Recognized as a “bright spot” among counties across the state, Dorchester continues to demonstrate strong partnerships and effective practices that support positive student outcomes #withJOY! We appreciate everyone who contributed to making this visit a meaningful experience, and look forward to more collaboration in the future!
#BelieveInUs
2 months ago, DCPS
Today, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to our amazing school maintenance workers! Your hard work behind the scenes keeps our school safe, clean, and running smoothly every single day. From fixing what’s broken to making sure our environment is welcoming, you are truly the backbone of our school community.
We appreciate all that you do — your dedication does not go unnoticed!
#withJOY
#BelieveInUs
2 months ago, DCPS
📚✨This week, schools across the district are participating in Read Across America with exciting activities that inspire our students to #ReadEveryDay!
One highlight was at Hurlock Elementary, where our very own Superintendent Dr. Jymil Thompson joined Ms. Abt’s PreK-4 class as a special guest reader. Dr. Thompson brought the story "Frog on a Log" to life, captivating the young learners who were engaged #withJOY throughout his time with them.
Reading early and often is essential—it builds the foundation for strong literacy skills that support academic success and lifelong learning, and opens doors to dreams, imagination, and endless possibilities for every child’s future. We’re proud to foster a love of reading in every classroom across the district!
#BelieveInUs
2 months ago, DCPS
Over the last several weeks, we had the honor of celebrating more excellence #withJOY! It is always inspiring to recognize the hard work, dedication, and passion of our outstanding educators who were selected as Team Member of the Year finalists!
🏆Leadership:
James Stewart - CSD
Aimee Cammarata - Choptank Elementary
Cassidy Skarren - Hurlock Elementary
Haley Kolakowski - Mace's Lane
Natalie Drake - Maple Elementary
Tashina Fowler - Sandy Hill Elementary
Shane Abbott - Vienna Elementary
Marybeth Blake - Warwick Elementary
Heather McMahon-Vargas - Central Office
🏆Service Above Self:
Angela Lowe - CSD
Malik Fuller - Choptank Elementary
Greg Insley - Dorchester Career & Technology Center
Michelle Dorsey - Hurlock Elementary School
Vicky Johnson - Mace's Lane
Carlos Wilson - Maple Elementary
Amanda Mueller - North Dorchester High
Crystal Carpenter - North Dorchester Middle
Emily Moore - Sandy Hill Elementary
Heather Travers - South Dorchester School
Margaret Short - Vienna Elementary
Sarah Sherman - Warwick Elementary
Ashley Hayden - Central Office
🏆Impact:
Lisa Rank - CSD
Ami'Jah Pattrick - Choptank Elementary
Shay Lewis-Sisco - Dorchester Career & Technology Center
Heather Powell - Hurlock Elementary
Jammie Dutton - Mace's Lane
Katie Scarpati - Maple Elementary
Najee Griffin - North Middle
Alexis Morton - Sandy Hill Elementary
Stacy Brooks - South Dorchester School
Carly Colman - Warwick Elementary
Casey O'Bier - Central Office
🏆Community Connections:
Rachel Grande - CSD
Wesley Cooper - Choptank Elementary
Sandy Shaw - Dorchester Career & Technology Center
Jill Creighton - Hurlock Elementary
Charles Johnson - Mace's Lane
Gray Jimenez - Maple Elementary
Sarah Hopkins - North Dorchester High
Mark Pages - North Dorchester Middle
Emani Downes - Sandy Hill Elementary
Connar Winn - Vienna Elementary
Angie Ausmussen - Warwick Elementary
MLMS Food Service - Central Office
Congratulations to all our Team Member finalists! We are excited to celebrate you at the DCPS Awards Gala on April 9th! 🎉
#BelieveInUs
3 months ago, DCPS
Behind every successful student is a school social worker who uplifts, defends, and transforms lives every single day. This National School Social Worker Week 2026, DCPS proudly honors the heroes who support our students’ mental health, well-being, and success — often behind the scenes, but always making a powerful impact.
This week we are honoring our incredible social workers across the district:
Ashley Pinder & Angela Meekins – Maple Elementary
Monick Conway & Renee Travers – Choptank Elementary
Shayna Church – Hurlock Elementary
Stephen Scott – Warwick Elementary
Connar Winn – Vienna Elementary
Rebecca Skinner & Ashley Leak – Maces Lane Middle School
Rachel Chambers & Kassidy Spencer – North Dorchester Middle School
Taijha Brummell – Sandy Hill Elementary
Jannia Mitchell – Cambridge South Dorchester High School
Sarah Hopkins – North Dorchester High School
Katelyn Helwig – South Dorchester K-8 & Community School & PBIS Coordinator
Ashley Hayden – Rising Star Administrator
Kawana Webb – Supervisor of Mental Health
Thank you for being the champions our students need, #withJOY! Your dedication changes lives every day!
#BelieveInUs
3 months ago, DCPS
Our March 2026 edition of the DCPS newsletter is here! 📬
Stay up to date with the latest district news, student highlights, upcoming events, and valuable resources — all in one place. We’re committed to keeping our community connected and informed every month.
🔗Check out the March District Newsletter here: https://app.smore.com/n/d19y3
3 months ago, DCPS
The DCPS Out-of-District application is now open for the 2026-2027 school year. This application is only good for the current school year, and a new application must be submitted for approval each school year.
For the 2026-2027 school year, we are continuing the completely online application process. The link is also posted on the DCPS Parents webpage. The application must be completed by April 30, 2026, to be considered. The only exceptions are for families that move after June 1 and/or Pre-K enrollment – the Out of District enrollment period is from September 1 to September 13, 2026. Pre-K is not included in this process; enrollment for PreK will open in May as a separate link. Please do not submit Out-of-District requests for PreK students using this link. A separate request form for PreK will be available later in the spring.
Families who have difficulty accessing the online link should contact their current school to schedule an appointment for assistance. All applications will be processed through the Student Services office and families will receive notifications by June 30.
As a reminder, no transportation is provided for out of district students. Students may only ride their assigned buses (home school) and parents are responsible for transportation for all out-of-district approved placements.
To register for out-of-district, please use the link below. If you have questions, please call 410-901-6944. Also, there is more information on requirements sent to parents' emails. We look forward to a successful end of the 2025 school year and a fantastic 2026-2027 year!
Out-of-District Application:
https://form.jotform.com/2605748266841663 months ago, DCPS
February is coming to an end, but our students and staff have celebrated Black History all month long #withJOY! From living museums to presentations, guest speakers and readers to door decorating, DCPS has honored the achievements, resilience, and lasting impact of Black leaders, innovators, artists, and changemakers throughout history.
Our classrooms have been filled with powerful stories, meaningful conversations, and creative expressions that highlight the rich contributions of the Black community—past, present, and future. ❤️🖤💚
As we close out Black History Month, we remain committed to learning, reflecting, and celebrating all year long.
#BelieveInUs
3 months ago, DCPS
We’re extremely proud to celebrate our dual enrollment students from North Dorchester High School and Cambridge-South Dorchester High School who have qualified for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society! 🎉
Phi Theta Kappa is a national honor society that recognizes academic achievement and encourages leadership, personal growth, and service among community college students. Being part of PTK opens doors to scholarships, leadership opportunities, and a supportive network that helps students succeed both in and out of the classroom.
This is a big accomplishment, and it shows the hard work and dedication of our students. Congratulations to each of you — we can’t wait to see all the great things you’ll do next!
#BelieveInUs
#withJOY
3 months ago, DCPS
Good Evening!
Due to the current weather conditions, DCPS will operate on a virtual learning day tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Students should follow their school's schedule as they did today. THERE WILL NOT BE A 2-HOUR LATE ARRIVAL AS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED. Other staff are required to telework. If that is not possible, contact your supervisor. Please stay safe!
3 months ago, DCPS
On February 11th, the Maryland Coalition for Community Schools hosted “We Love Community Schools Day” in Annapolis — celebrating the power and impact of Community Schools across Maryland! ❤️💛🖤
Dorchester County Public Schools was proud to be represented by our amazing Community School Liaisons:
✨ Ms. Woolford – Sandy Hill Elementary
✨ Ms. McBean – Hurlock Elementary
✨ Ms. Taylor – Choptank Elementary
Together, 24 school districts (representing 700+ Community Schools) presented to over 100 legislators and legislative staff about the transformative work happening across the state.
📈 Since becoming a Community Schools district, DCPS has seen:
✔️ Increased attendance rates each year
✔️ Growth in partnerships from 40 in 2024 to 281 countywide in 2026
✔️ Expanded programming and extended learning opportunities
✔️ Monthly family & community engagement events at every school
Community Schools are strengthening connections, supporting families, empowering educators, and driving student success every single day.
We are proud of the impact we are making — and we’re just getting started! 💙
#WeLoveOurCommunitySchools
#withJOY
#BelieveInUs
3 months ago, DCPS
Good evening!
Due to the predicted weather conditions DCPS will operate on a virtual learning day tomorrow, Monday, February 23, 2026. Students should follow their school’s schedule. Other staff are required to telework. If that is not possible, contact your supervisor.
Please stay safe!
3 months ago, DCPS
How about some love for Mace's Lane today?!
Today at The Lane, 8th graders took center stage for a one-of-a-kind “Prep” Rally—and no, that's not a typo! This innovative event was all about gearing up for the MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) in an electric and interactive way.
Students led the charge #withJOY, sharing smart strategies with their classmates to help everyone feel confident and ready. The energy was off the charts with performances from the band, cheer team, and dance squad, plus some friendly competition with basketball and a classic game of musical chairs!
We believe learning and joy can go hand in hand—and today’s rally proved it!
#BelieveInUs
3 months ago, DCPS
